Making scented candles is becoming more and more popular each year. Whether it's for personal enjoyment or as a business venture, making scented candles can be fun and rewarding. With the down turn in the economy over the last couple of years, many people have been forced to stop and evaluate what is really important. Because of this more people are looking for inexpensive ways to spend time with the family, particularly around holiday time when they can make gifts for less money than they would spend buying them. Many more are looking for a way to make a residual income or to get out of the corporate world altogether. Making aromatic candles is perfect for all of these people.
Making scented candles is relatively simple in theory. It's really a formula, much like baking, wax+ fragrance+ candle. But if this was all there was to it, everyone would do it. There is a certain degree of instinct and finesse involved in making scented candles of the highest quality. Here we'll share a few tips on how to make the best quality candles possible.
First, you need to select your products carefully. What does this mean? Well you should get the best possible quality of wax, wicks, fragrance, color, molds and so on. The reason is simple. The better the ingredients, the better the finished candle will be. When you are working within a certain budget, and this is especially important for those who are making scented candles as a business, that you buy the highest quality ingredients, even if that means that you get a smaller quantity. If you were to go with the larger quantity of lower quality, your customers would notice and wouldn't likely return. However, if you can demonstrate the quality of your product, you will keep your customers returning and they will also refer new customers to you. This will allow you to buy larger quantities over time.
Second, when you are purchasing your supplies, be mindful of how much you will use in a short period of time. While it is often cheaper to buy large quantities at a wholesale rate, it isn't worth it if the supplies deteriorate before you can use them. In that case, it's just a whole lot of cash in the trash when you have to throw them away. Things like wicks, fragrance and color do have a shelf life so you should only purchase what you can use in a short period of time.
So what if you aren't making aromatic candles as a business, but as a hobby? Well the very same tips apply. However, there are a couple more things to be mindful of. First, be aware of the type of candle mold you choose, should you decide to use one. Jar candles are the easiest type of candles to make, but if you decide to make molded candles, be sure to use a mold that is sturdy and completely smooth on the inside. Any rough spots will show up in the candle. Also, always hand wash molds, never stick them in the dishwasher and never put them away wet.
Once you learn the basics, the sky is the limit, so give it a try and see if making scented candles is the craft for you.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Special Tips For Making Great Scented Candles
Making scented candles is simple. Wax+ Scent+ Color=Scented Candle. But how do you make those candles stand out from the sea of other scented candles out there. One way is to corner the “green” market. With a little bit of research you can be making scented candles that appeal to those who are more eco-conscious.
A few of the elements of your candles that will appeal to the “green” community include things like renewable wax sources and natural fragrances. Another thing you can do to help your “green” marketing efforts is to package your candles in biodegradable or recyclable materials such as glass or recycled paper or card board. Play up these points and you’ll be well on your way. So now let’s talk about actually making scented candles for this demographic.
One of the attributes that make environmentally sustainable candles so marketable is the wax. Waxes such as soy and beeswax are environmentally friendly. Soy wax is made from soy beans, and soy beans are one of the most widely farmed products in the country today, providing everything from food to oil to biofuel. Soy wax burns at a low temperature making it a better choice to have in a home with families, as it’s less likely to cause burns. Making scented candles with soy wax also has another unique benefit. When warm the wax, which is somewhat oily, is used as a great massage oil since it’s beneficial for the skin. Beeswax is a much more dense wax, but it has advantages as well. Making scented candles from all natural beeswax is very simple as the wax already has a natural sweet scent and color that is characteristic of the wax. If you get the wax directly from the bee keepers, the wax will often still contain flower pollen, adding to the sweet smell.
The other attribute of “green” candles that makes them so marketable is that they are usually scented with pure essential oils. These oils provide a variety of healthy benefits through aromatherapy. Making scented candles with pure essential oils allows for the oils to be suspended in the wax, which makes it last longer than using it in any other way.
The final thing to consider when you are making scented candles that really appeals to this particular demographic is the packaging. The packaging should be recyclable or made of post-consumer recycled material such as card board boxes and raffia ribbons. Be sure when labeling your products for sale that you play up the eco-angle and you’ll be sold out of those eco-friendly scented candles in no time.
A few of the elements of your candles that will appeal to the “green” community include things like renewable wax sources and natural fragrances. Another thing you can do to help your “green” marketing efforts is to package your candles in biodegradable or recyclable materials such as glass or recycled paper or card board. Play up these points and you’ll be well on your way. So now let’s talk about actually making scented candles for this demographic.
One of the attributes that make environmentally sustainable candles so marketable is the wax. Waxes such as soy and beeswax are environmentally friendly. Soy wax is made from soy beans, and soy beans are one of the most widely farmed products in the country today, providing everything from food to oil to biofuel. Soy wax burns at a low temperature making it a better choice to have in a home with families, as it’s less likely to cause burns. Making scented candles with soy wax also has another unique benefit. When warm the wax, which is somewhat oily, is used as a great massage oil since it’s beneficial for the skin. Beeswax is a much more dense wax, but it has advantages as well. Making scented candles from all natural beeswax is very simple as the wax already has a natural sweet scent and color that is characteristic of the wax. If you get the wax directly from the bee keepers, the wax will often still contain flower pollen, adding to the sweet smell.
The other attribute of “green” candles that makes them so marketable is that they are usually scented with pure essential oils. These oils provide a variety of healthy benefits through aromatherapy. Making scented candles with pure essential oils allows for the oils to be suspended in the wax, which makes it last longer than using it in any other way.
The final thing to consider when you are making scented candles that really appeals to this particular demographic is the packaging. The packaging should be recyclable or made of post-consumer recycled material such as card board boxes and raffia ribbons. Be sure when labeling your products for sale that you play up the eco-angle and you’ll be sold out of those eco-friendly scented candles in no time.
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